18 with a bullet

Eighteen years ago today, I made one of the most important phone calls of my life.
I was sitting in front of my parents' house, high as I had ever been. I don't know what possessed me to pull up and ask to use their phone, but I did. I asked my dad for Richard K.'s phone number.
The conversation lasted less than a minute.
Me: "Hey, Richard."
Richard: "Are you done?"
Me: "Yes."
Richard: "I got a place for you."
Me: "I'll see you tomorrow."
That was it.
That was the last day I ever used.
Looking back, I know that phone call changed everything. It was the beginning of a new life—one I couldn't even imagine that day. Eighteen years later, I'm still grateful that I made that call, and even more grateful that Richard answered.
Love you, Richard. Thank you for believing in me when I couldn't believe in myself. Tomorrow WE celebrate 18 years clean. I'm finally legal. 

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